July 13, 2018 was a Friday. I’m not superstitious. In fact it was a beautiful summer day in one of the greatest cities in the world, Vancouver. I found myself surrounded by a view of the majestic coastal mountains to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Normally I would have revelled in the vistas and the natural beauty, but that day was one of intense mixed emotion. I was in Vancouver to attend a retirement dinner for one of the truly good people of our industry, Margaret Ramsdale. Those of us in the Uniform Industry who have been fortunate enough to know or have dealt with Margaret know of her wisdom, kindness and her graceful quiet strength.
Surrounded by close colleagues and co-workers (most of whom worked with Margaret for over 20 years), Margaret closed the latest chapter in her journey that saw her become the Vice President of Unisync after 20 plus years supplying and servicing employee uniform programs throughout North America. Margaret also worked tirelessly contributing to numerous industry associations and initiatives. Amongst her many accomplishments Margaret served as a board member of the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors and was also a key member of its governing executive committee. Margaret is also a past Vice President of the International Women’s Forum as well as a founding member and Director of The Canadian Textile Recovery Effort. She has been named a top entrepreneur and was a recipient of Enterprising Woman Magazine’s Woman of the Year Award.
Margaret began her career in the Canadian Apparel retail Industry and worked at the buying offices of high profile major Canadian retail chains and then moved into the design and manufacturing of well-known Canadian brands. In 1999 Margaret moved into the uniform ‘space’ and founded her own company; Omega Uniform Systems. Margaret was able to apply her design skills to the corporate image apparel industry and was able to successfully design and service major contracts throughout Canada and the U.S. In 2015, Omega Uniform Systems was acquired by the Unisync Group and Margaret was appointed as the Vice President of Unisync.
Margaret was actively at the forefront of many industry initiatives. “It was joy to serve on the NAUMD board with Margaret” said Steve Zalkin, President of the NAUMD.
“We owe the growth and evolution of our Image of the Year awards to Margaret as well as the student endowment program initiative, Margaret Ramsdale is everything that is GOOD about our industry” he added.
We all wish Margaret all the very best of good health, happiness and success in what we know will be another exciting chapter in her life.
